Secure fastener for belts

ABSTRACT

A secure fastener includes a fastening device and a security device. The fastening device includes a base, a handle pivotally installed on the base between a slackening position and a fastening position and a latch movably installed on the handle for engagement with the base in the fastening position. A first crossbar is installed on the base so that a first belt can be attached to the first crossbar. Second and third crossbars are installed on the handle so that a second belt can be directed past the third crossbar, wound around the second crossbar and directed past the third crossbar again. The security device is installed on the base for pushing the second belt against the third crossbar in the fastening position.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a secure fastener for belts.

2. Related Prior Art

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown a conventional fastener forbelts. The fastener includes a base 1, a first crossbar 4 installed onthe base 1, a handle 2 pivotally installed on the base 1, a latch 3movably installed on the handle 2 for engagement with two hooks 9 on thebase 1, a second crossbar 6 installed on the handle 2 and a thirdcrossbar 7 installed on the handle 2. A first belt 5 is formed with aloop around the first crossbar 4 so that the first belt 5 is secured tothe first crossbar 4. A second belt 8 is directed past the thirdcrossbar 7, wound around the second crossbar 6 and directed past thethird crossbar 7 again. At first, the belts 5 and 8 are tensioned mildlyreferring to FIG. 1. Then, the handle 2 is pivoted toward the base 1 soas to fasten the belts 5 and 8, and the latch 3 is hooked by the hooks 9referring to FIG. 2. There must be enough friction between the secondbelt 8 and the crossbars 6 and 7 for ensuring normal operation. This ishowever not always true. When a user intends to exert on the belts 5 and8 tension larger than the friction, the second belt 8 will slip. Hence,the user cannot exert the intended tension on the belts 5 and 8.

The present invention is therefore intended to obviate or at leastalleviate the problems encountered in prior art.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

According to the present invention, a secure fastener includes afastening device and a security device. The fastening device includes abase, a handle pivotally installed on the base between a slackeningposition and a fastening position and a latch movably installed on thehandle for engagement with the base in the fastening position. A firstcrossbar is installed on the base so that a first belt can be attachedto the first crossbar. Second and third crossbars are installed on thehandle so that a second belt can be directed past the third crossbar,wound around the second crossbar and directed past the third crossbaragain. The security device is installed on the base for pushing thesecond belt against the third crossbar in the fastening position.

The primary advantage of the secure fastener according to the presentinvention is to provide enough friction on the second belt so that thesecond belt does not slip.

Other advantages and features of the present invention will becomeapparent from the following description referring to the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The present invention will be described through detailed illustration ofthe preferred embodiment referring to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional fastener for belts.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the conventional fastener in anotherposition than shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a secure fastener for belts according tothe preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the secure fastener shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the secure fastener shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the secure fastener in anotherposition than shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view of the securefastener shown in FIG. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, there is shown a secure fastener for beltsaccording to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. Thesecure fastener includes a fastening device 10 and a security device 20.The fastening device 10 is similar to the conventional fastenerdiscussed in the RELATED PRIOR ART except several features adapted forinstalling the security device 20.

The fastening device 10 includes a base 11, a first crossbar 14installed on the base 11, a handle 12 pivotally installed on the base 11between a slackening position and a fastening position, a latch 13movably installed on the handle 12 for engagement with two hooks 19 onthe base 11 in the fastening position, a second crossbar 17 installed onthe handle 12 and a third crossbar 18 (FIGS. 5 through 7) installed onthe handle 12. A first belt 30 is formed with a loop around the firstcrossbar 14 so that the first belt 30 is secured to the first crossbar14. A second belt 40 is directed past the third crossbar 18, woundaround the second crossbar 17 and directed past the third crossbar 18again.

The base 11 includes two lateral members each formed with a rectilinearslot 15 and a U-shaped slot 16. Each of the hooks 19 is formed onrelated one of the lateral members of the base 11.

The security device 20 includes a pressing element 21, a supportingelement 22 and an elastic element 23. The pressing element 21 includestwo fins 211 movable in the rectilinear slots 15 so that the pressingelement 21 is movable on the base 11. The pressing element 21 includes arough periphery for providing enough friction with the second belt 40.The supporting element 22 includes a U-shaped configuration viewed in anend view. The supporting element 22 includes two ends fit in theU-shaped slots 16 so that the supporting element 22 is installed on thebase 11. The elastic element 23 includes a flat side positioned in thesupporting element 22 and a concave side 231 for receiving the pressingelement 21.

Referring to FIG. 5, the belts 30 and 40 are tensioned mildly. The thirdcrossbar 18 and the pressing element 21 together form a pinch for thesecond belt 40. Now, the pinch is idle.

Referring to FIG. 6, the handle 12 is pivoted toward the base 11 so asto fasten the belts 30 and 40, and the latch 13 is hooked by the hooks19.

Referring to FIG. 7, the pinch pinches the second belt 40. The elasticelement 23 pushes the pressing element 21 firmly against the second belt40. The friction between the second belt 40 and the crossbars 17 and 18and the friction between the second belt 40 and the pinch ensures normaloperation.

If the thickness of the second belt 40 is changed, the elastic element23 can compensate such change in the thickness of the second belt 40 andstill push the pressing element 21 firmly against the second belt 40.

The secure fastener of the present invention exhibits at least twoadvantages. Firstly, it provides enough friction on the second belt 40so that the second belt 40 does not slip. Secondly, it compensateschange in the thickness of the second belt 40.

The present invention has been described through the illustration of thepreferred embodiment. Those skilled in the art can derive variationsfrom the preferred embodiment without departing from the scope of thepresent invention. Therefore, the preferred embodiment shall not limitthe scope of the present invention defined in the claims.

1. A secure fastener comprising: a fastening device comprising a base, ahandle pivotally installed on the base between a slackening position anda fastening position, a latch movably installed on the handle forengagement with the base in the fastening position, a first crossbarinstalled on the base so that a first belt can be attached to the firstcrossbar, a second crossbar installed on the handle, a third crossbarinstalled on the handle so that a second belt can be directed past thethird crossbar, wound around the second crossbar and directed past thethird crossbar again; and a security device installed on the base forpushing the second belt against the third crossbar in the fasteningposition.
 2. The secure fastener according to claim 1 wherein thesecurity device comprises a pressing element installed on the base forpushing the second belt against the third crossbar.
 3. The securefastener according to claim 2 wherein the periphery of the pressingelement is rough.
 4. The secure fastener according to claim 2 whereinthe pressing element is movably installed on the base.
 5. The securefastener according to claim 4 wherein the pressing element comprises twofins, wherein the base defines two slots in and along which the fins aremovable.
 6. The secure fastener according to claim 4 wherein thesecurity device comprises an elastic element installed on the base forbiasing the pressing element.
 7. The secure fastener according to claim6 wherein the elastic element comprises a concave side for contact withthe pressing element.
 8. The secure fastener according to claim 6wherein the security device comprises a supporting element installed onthe base for supporting the elastic element.
 9. The secure fasteneraccording to claim 8 wherein the supporting element comprises a U-shapedcross-sectional configuration for receiving the elastic element.